Editorial: Politics in the abyss

Author Nicky Hager with copies of his book, Dirty Politics, at the launch in Wellington. Photograph by Mark Mitchell

I wrote an editorial just over a fortnight ago saying certain politicians and their supporters needed to get out of the gutter.

Perhaps I was expecting too much because since then the election campaign has sunk to new lows.

It started with Nicky Hager's book, Dirty Politics.

Its suspiciously timed release effectively derailed the campaign. Is this a good thing? Some people tell me they are sick and tired of dirty politics. They want the focus to be kept on proper issues.

I can see where they're coming from - to a point.

There are important issues that need to be canvassed but it is not quite this simple.

In a healthy democracy, anything that brings politicians into question must be thoroughly examined - especially when it comes to the likes of the Prime Minister and senior Cabinet Ministers.

We must ask questions in an effort to find out the truth and ensure there has been no wrongdoing. The alternative is no questions are asked - a dangerous, slippery slope that can lead to silence and corruption.

But that said, at the weekend I thought perhaps we had turned a point with dirty politics and poor behaviour.

Again I was wrong.

Internet Mana press secretary Pam Corkery's tirade against the media on Sunday - prominently televised on the news and prompted when journalists asked questions about Kim Dotcom's involvement in historic computer hacking - was uncalled for and unprofessional.

But it is an Auckland-based hip-hop band that has hit a new low.

The members of @Peace are under fire for song lyrics about killing the Prime Minister. The lyrics also talk obscenely about his daughter.

What a load of trash from a vile pack of no-hopers.

This band has lamely attempted to explain its way out of this but it's too little too late.

To aggravate matters, the band has reportedly been given NZ on Air funding for other projects, and thousands of people are said to be viewing and sharing this song video online.

It is now time to refocus on issues such as health, education, jobs, housing and the economy.

Hopefully, tonight's first televised leaders debate does just that.